Blood plasma

Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood in which the blood cells in whole blood are suspended. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume. It is the intravascular fluid part of extracellular fluid (all body fluid outside of cells). It is mostly water (up to 95% by volume), and contains dissolved proteins (6–8%) (i.e.—serum albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen), glucose, clotting factors, electrolytes (Na+, Ca++, Mg++, HCO3−, Cl−, etc.), hormones, carbon dioxide (plasma being the main medium for excretory product transportation), and oxygen. It plays a vital role in an intravascular osmotic effect that keeps electrolyte concentration balanced and protects the body from infection and other blood disorders.

Composition

Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that holds the blood cells of whole blood in suspension. It is the liquid part of the blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume.

Functions

Blood plasma performs many functions in the body, including supplying critical proteins and nutrients, maintaining blood pressure and volume, and transporting cellular waste products.

Clinical significance

In medicine, blood plasma is used in treatments for a variety of conditions, including burns, shock and trauma patients, and those with liver failure. It can also be used to treat rare chronic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders and hemophilia.

See also

• Blood
• Blood cells
• Blood transfusion
• Plasma (physics)